Tube and pipe expander.



H. E. POLLARD.

TUBE AND PEPE EXPANDER.

APPLICATION man MAYH. 1912. RENEWED OCT. 3. 1914.

Patented May 4, 1915.

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H. E. POLLARD.

TUBE AND PIPE EXPANDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, I912. RENEWED OCT. 3. 1914- 1;,138,3 1 1 Patented May 4, 1915.

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THE NORRIS PETERS c tiN aar anion.

"TUBE AND PIPE EXPANDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May A, 1915.

Application filed May 11, 1912, Serial No. 696,659. Renewed October 3, 1914. Serial No. 864,946.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. POLLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Tube and Pipe Expanders, of which the following is a specification.

The invention provides a novel mechanism whereby metal tubing may be rapidly and effectively enlarged or expanded, the machine being particularly designed for spreading the ends of tubing of various sizes.

The invention provides a sectional expanding head of peculiar formation, means for rotating the expanding head, a plunger arranged to operate axially within the expanding head for spreading the sections thereof, and a tappet mechanism for imparting a longitudinal reciprocatory movement to the plunger, the several parts being combined in a minute manner to provide a substantial and effective mechanism for the purpose stated.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, forming a part of the specification, Figure 1 is a top plan View of a machine of the character and for the purpose stated embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the machine in elevation, parts being broken away to show more clearly the relative arrangement of the working element. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of an expanding head and the concomitant parts including the tappet mechanism and the driving means for rotating the expanding head. Fig. 4 is a front view of one of the expanding heads. Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line w-m of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a detail'perspective view of one of the jaws or sections of the expanding head.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description, and indicated in all the views of the drawings, by the same reference characters.

In its specific construction the machine approximates the turret formation, since it embodies a plurality of expanding heads mounted upon a part capable of rotation to admit of any required expanding head being brought into a given position.

The invention as hereinbefore stated resides chiefly in the expanding head, the mountings therefor, the driving mechanism and the tappet mechanism whereby the plunger is operated rapidly so as to perform the work without injury to the tube or without requiring the tube to be held by special means to prevent rotation thereof during the expanding operation.

The main frame of the machine is indicated at 1 and may be of any construction and supports a frame 2 which is capable of rotation and which supports a plurality of expanding heads, thereby admitting of any one of the expanding heads being brought into a given position. A standard 3 projecting upward from the frame 1 receives a latch pin 4 by means of which the frame 2 is held in the required position when the machine is in operation. A shaft 5 is journaled vertically in the frame 1 and is geared to a horizontal shaft 6 to which the power is applied for driving the machine. Bevel gearing 7 connects the shafts 5 and 6 and a beltpulley 8 is secured to the shaft 6 to rotate therewith and is adapted to be connected with a suitable source of power in any well known manner. A gear wheel 9 is secured to the upper end of the shaft 5 and is in mesh with a plurality of gear wheels 10 secured to vertical shafts 11 mounted in bearings of the frame 2. A tappet wheel 12 is likewise secured to the upper end of the shaft 5 so as to rotate therewith. A plurality of hollow shafts 13 are mounted horizontally in the frame 2, each being provided at its inner end with a bevel gear wheel 11 which is in mesh with a companion bevel gear wheel 15 secured to the upper end of shaft 11. The outer end of each of the hollow shafts 13 is formed with an annular groove 16 which is intersected by means of a plurality of pins 17 which are supported at their ends in the parts of the shaft forming the walls of the annular groove. A plunger 18 is mounted in each of the hollow shafts'13 and its outer end is tapered, as indicated at 19, and its inner thereon.

end has a portion 20 which is adjustable so as to project the tapered end 19 of the plunger to a greater or less extent from the outer end of the hollow shaft. An expansible spring 21 of the helical. type is mounted upon the inner end of the plunger 18 and is confined between the inner end of the hollow shaft 18 and a collar 22, which is secured upon the plunger and constitutes an adjustable stop whereby the tension of the spring 21 may be regulated. The spring 21 normally exerts an inward pressure upon the plunger to hold its inner end at all times in engagement with the tappet mechanism The-adjustable portion 20 consists of a set screw which is threaded into an opening formed in the inner end of the plunger, a jam nut 23 serving to hold the set screw in the adjusted position.

The expanding heads are of. similar formation and may vary in size, therebyadapting a single machine for a variety of tubing. Each expanding head is of sectional formation and is mounted uponthe outer end of a hollow shaft in such a manner as to rotate with the'shaft but yet admit of the sections or jaws of the head spreading. The expanding head comprises an inner portion 24. and an outer portion 25, said portions being of different diameters. The expanding head may consist of any number of sec tions or jaws 26 each being of sector shape and the several sections or jaws unitedly forming an expanding head of cylindrical form. The expanding head has an axial opening which receives the projecting end of the plunger 18 and the outer end of the hollow shaft 18. The outer portion of the axial opening is tapered to conform approximately to the tapered end 19 of the plunger so that when the plunger is projected by means of the tappet mechanism the jaws comprising the expanding head are caused to spread, thereby expanding the tube slipped The axial opening formed in the inner portion of the expanding head is enlarged to receive the outer end of the hollow shaft 13 and has an inner flange 27 to enter the annular groove 16, thereby holding the expanding head upon the hollow shaft. A notch 28 is formed in the flange 27 of each section or jaw and receives apin 17, thereby forming an interlocking connection between the expanding head and hollow shaft 13 to cause the two to rotate in unison. An elastic band or ring 29 encircles the expanding head and holds the several sections or jaws thereof in assembled posi tion. An annular groove 30 is formed in the outer surface of the inner portion 24 of the expanding head and forms a seatto receive the elastic band or ring 29. The outer portion 25 of the expanding head constitutes the working end and the shoulder formed at the base thereof between the parts 24: and 25 limits the movement of the tube when slipped upon the expanding head to have its end portion widened. It is to be understood that the working portion of the expanding head may be of any shape according to the outline to be given to the end of the tube when expanded.

The tappet wheel 12 is provided at its outer edge with a plurality of tappets which impart in conjunction with the springs 21 a rapid reciprocatory movement to the several plungers. The tappet wheel is in the plane of the plungers, hence imparts adirect outward movement thereto. The tappets are formed by corrugating or scalloping the edgeof the tappet wheel. Tappet transmitters are interposed between the tappet wheel and the plungers. Each of these tappet transmitters consists of an arm 31' pivoted at 32 and having a relative tangential arrangement with reference to the tappet wheel the free end of the arm being notched or formed with spaced ears 33' between which is mounted a roller 34: arranged to travel upon the outer edge of the tappet wheel. A. pin 35 is supported at its ends in the ears 33 and'passes through the roller 3%. The free endof the arm 31 has a raised portion 36 upon its outer side to which is fitted a wear piece 87 which is in contact with the adjustable portion or set screw 20 of the plunger. hen the machine is in motion the arms 31 vibrate and impart a corresponding movement to the plungers whereby the jaws comprising the expanding heads are spread and serve to enlarge or expand the ends of the tubes fed to the machine.

It will be understood from the foregoing, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, that the approximate turret construction of the machine enables an'umber of tubes to-be expanded at the same time and also adapts the machine for a variety of sizes of tubes, since the expanding heads may vary in size. While the turret structure is preferred it is to be understood that the machine may be of such formation as to embody a single expanding head and adjunctive parts and that the driving and tappet mechanism may be of corresponding or approved constructionto adapt the same to the expanding head.

From' the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which theinvention appertains, and while I have described the'principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and

that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is

1. Means for expanding tubing, the same consisting of an expanding head, means for imparting a rotary movement to the expanding head, a plunger arranged to operate in the expanding head, and mechanism including a tappet for imparting a rapid reciprocatory movement to the plunger simultaneously with the rotation of theexpanding head. i

2. In a machine for expanding tubing,

the combination of an expanding head comprising separable jaws, means for imparting a rotary movement to the expanding head, a plunger having a part arranged to operate between the jaws of the expanding head to eflect a separation thereof, and mechanism including a tappet for imparting a rapid reciprocatory movement to the plunger.

3. In combination a hollow shaft, an expanding head fitted to the hollow shaft and comprising separable jaws, a plunger mounted in the hollow shaft and having a portion arranged to operate between the jaws of the expanding head, and mechanism including a tappet for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the plunger.

4. In a tube expanding machine, the combination of a shaft, an expanding head fitted to and pro ecting beyond the shaft and comprising separable jaws, interlocking means between the jaws of the expanding head and the shaft to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the expanding head, other interlocking means between the jaws of the expanding head and the shaft to cause the shaft and expanding head to rotate together, means for imparting rotary movement to the said shaft, and means independent of the shaft operating between the projecting part of the expanding head for spreading the jaws thereof.

5. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a rotary shaft, an expanding head mounted upon the shaft and comprising separable jaws, interlocking means be tween the jaws and shaft to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the said jaws and shaft, other interlocking means between the jaws and shaft to cause the jaws to rotate therewith, a plunger arranged to operate between the jaws of the expanding head, and means for imparting a rapid reciprocatory movement to the said plunger.

6. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a rotary shaft having an annular groove near one end, an expanding head comprising separable jaws fitted upon the end of the shaft and having an inner flange to enter the annular groove thereof,

interlocking means between the jaws and shaft to cause them to rotate together, and means for spreading the jaws simultaneously with the rotation of the shaft and expanding head.

7. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a shaft havingan annular groove near one end, pins intersecting the groove and supported in the shaft, an expanding head comprising separable jaws fitted upon the end of the shaft and having an inner flange to enter the annular groove thereof, the inner flange of each of the jaws having a notch to receive one of the pins intersecting the said annular groove, and means for spreading the jaws of the expanding head simultaneously with the rotation thereof.

8. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a rotary expanding head, a plunger arranged to effect a spreading of the expanding head, and mechanism, including a tappet wheel provided with a plurality of tappets, arranged to impart a reciprocatory movement to the plunger.

9. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a rotary expanding head, a plunger arranged to operate in the expanding head to efl'ect a spreading thereof, a tappet wheel, and an adjustable portion carried by the plunger to normally fix the relative position thereof in conjunction with the expanding head.

10. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of an expanding head, a plunger for effecting a spreading thereof, a tappet wheel, and a tappet transmitter between the tappet wheel and plunger.

11. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of an expanding head, a plunger for effecting a spreading thereof, a tappet wheel, and a tappet transmitter between the tappet wheel and plunger, said tappet transmitter comprising a pivoted arm having a roller at its free end to travel upon the tappet wheel.

12. In a machine for expanding tubes, the combination of a main frame, a second frame rotatably mounted upon the main frame, means for securing the second frame in the located position, a plurality of ex panding heads mounted upon the second frame each comprising separable jaws, a plunger for each expanding head, means for imparting a rotary movement to the expanding heads, and other means for imparting a reciprocatory movement to the said plungers.

1,3. In combination a vertical shaft, a plurality of horizontal shafts having a radial arrangement about the vertical shaft, an expanding head upon the outer end of each horizontal shaft, a plunger for each horizontal shaft and expanding head, gearing between each of 'said horizontal shafts Intestimony whereof I affix my signature the vertical shifti and melchanilsm, inin'presence of two Witnesses.

c u in a tappet W ee secure to me vertical sl daft, arranged to impart a reoiprooa- HENRY EVERETT POLLARD' tory movement to the plungers silnultane- WVitnesses:

ously With the rotation of the horizontal FRANCIS JOSEPH LEONARD,

shaft and expanding heads. DAVID FRANCIS CONWAY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents each, by "addressing the Commissioner of ratents,

' Washington, ED. 0; 

